CPAs share lessons from dads

To commemorate Father’s Day, the JofA asked CPAs around the country what their dads taught them and how that helped them in the profession—and life.

Whether or not they were CPAs themselves, the fathers of many current
CPAs have had a huge impact on those accountants’ careers. Sometimes
it came in the form of specific financial or business advice; more
often it was simply life lessons that also applied to some aspect of
the profession years later.

On Sunday, June 21, we honor fathers and the experience they
imparted—all with the earnest hopes that their sons and daughters
would be better than they were. As part of the celebration, we asked
accountants across the country to share some lessons they learned from
their fathers—especially ones that helped them later on in the
accounting profession. Here are their stories.

AICPA Chair Tommye E. Barie and her father, James Elam

Tommye E. Barie, CPAChair, AICPA board of
directors Sarasota, Fla.

“As a Bronze Star-decorated World War II veteran, a 33rd-degree
Mason, and a successful businessman, my dad demonstrated that with
hard work, integrity, determination, and treating people with respect,
I could achieve anything. He also taught me to be a gracious winner
and to learn from losses. As my role model and my hero, my dad was the
inspiration for me to achieve the position of AICPA chair.”

“My father was very resourceful. He could always build or fix
anything with the limited resources at hand. When I was a child, my
father took my brother and me out in the woods on St. Simons Island,
Ga., to harvest bamboo and palmetto leaves. He used them to build a
two-story tree fort in our backyard. For years that fort served as the
unofficial headquarters for all the neighborhood children. From his
example, I learned there is always a clever solution to every problem,
which not everyone else sees.”

Annette Nellen, Esq., CPA, CGMAProfessor and
director of the MST Program, San José State University San José, Calif.

“My father had a good sense of humor and a few accounting jokes he
loved to tell. He was good at balancing work and family—dedicated to
both and enjoying both. In subtle ways, he taught me to enjoy life,
use humor to have fun and help put people at ease, to be punctual, to
keep learning, and to not shy away from challenges.”

“I was inspired to become a CPA by my father who was a Baltimore
City Police officer. I wanted to be in the FBI and, at the time,
accounting was the best path. Due to poor, uncorrected eyesight, I
changed course to a CPA in business and industry. He taught me to be
humble, to treat all people well, and the power of a warm smile.”

“My father taught me that if you wanted to achieve anything in this
world, you had to work hard, work smart, and be kind to others
regardless of whether they are a janitor, a schoolteacher, or a
colleague. He told me that I should never be afraid to take chances,
but I should think about the possible outcomes if I do not succeed.
This way, I would always have a Plan B ready to go without missing a step.”

Theresa Grafenstine and her father, Roger

The Hon. Theresa Grafenstine, CPA, CGMAInspector
general, U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C.

“My dad taught me that fear is often the biggest obstacle in
achieving our goals. If something knocks you down, don’t avoid it!
Jump back up and run at it full speed! Otherwise, you become your own
self-imposed glass ceiling. Earlier in my career, I had a tremendous
fear of public speaking—even speaking up in meetings would make my
heart race. I realized that if I didn’t overcome this fear, I would
limit my own opportunities. So instead of avoiding it, I tackled it
head-on. It has helped to increase my confidence and to grow
personally and professionally.”

Mark Zyla with his father, Larry, and son, Jack

Mark L. Zyla, CPA/ABV/CFFManaging director,
Acuitas Inc. Atlanta, Ga.

“My father has taught me the value of hard work and education. My
dad was one of the first members of his family to attend college and
earned a master’s degree while still finding time to coach my
brother’s and my baseball teams.

“His example led me to try to help others to value education. I have
been involved in various education programs for the AICPA. I enjoy
mentoring a student at a local school, and I’m also active with the
Advisory Council for the MSF Program at the University of Texas at
Austin. Hopefully, I am also instilling these values in my son.”

“As an accomplished Ph.D. in chemistry, my dad balanced a growing
family and work obligations expertly throughout my childhood. Early in
my career, I called my dad for advice, nervous about the potential for
a missed opportunity in selecting one job opportunity over another. He
responded, ‘Well, even if you make the wrong choice, you’ve got 40
more years of work to rectify it.’ His humor and honesty help bring me
back from the ups and downs in our profession to what really matters.”

“One of the most powerful business lessons my father taught me was
to be involved in my professional association whenever I started my
career. At the time, neither he nor I knew I would be a CPA. He
attributed his professional success to being actively involved in his
professional organization. I directly applied his advice even before I
became a licensed CPA. I joined my state CPA society and the AICPA as
a student. Both memberships have paid dividends to me ever since.”

Scott Lampe with his father, John

Scott Lampe, CPA, CGMACFO, Hendrick
Motorsports Charlotte, N.C.

“When I started at Hendrick in the late 1990s, I would sometimes
have trouble getting people to respond to my instructions or requests
that I had emailed them. The emails seemed well-thought-out and had
clear instructions. Then I remembered something my dad used to tell me
about his customers: ‘Go see people. It shows you care.’ So I got up
from my desk and went to see people. Today I try to spend as little
time as possible at my desk. None of my staff are in my office, so the
best way I can lead them is to get out and spend time with them.”

“My father taught me that in business, you should always do what you
say you are going to do. Make your word your bond. I followed his
advice, which is also one of the main tenets of the CPA profession.
Trust and integrity are what CPAs do. Once in a business transaction,
when I had the chance to reverse a prior … decision legally that would
have resulted in a large personal financial gain, I chose instead to
simply honor my prior commitment. I may have lost a financial benefit,
but I maintained my honesty and integrity.”

“From my dad, I learned the importance of perseverance, strength,
faith, and support, and the role they play as you progress in your
career. My dad would often say, ‘What a racket!’ when he was skeptical
about something. Being an auditor, I find myself using that term more
than expected, as we remain professionally skeptical at all times.”

Kelly Richmond Pope watches her father, Dr. Tyronza Richmond (right), as he is sworn in as chancellor at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., in 1986. Copyright The Durham Herald Co. Used with permission.

“My dad was my first mentor and is the reason I earned my Ph.D. in
accounting at 27. I wanted to be the second ‘Dr. Richmond’ because he
earned his Ph.D. in decision sciences when he was 31. My dad passed
away in 1999 but taught me that challenge makes you stronger, always
do your best, and be sure to create a niche so that you are invaluable
to an organization. My niche is using digital media and storytelling
to teach students and professionals about fraud rationalization. I owe
my career to my dad, and I honor his memory every day.”

Michael Elliott with his father, Jerry

Michael J. Elliott, CPADittrick & Associates
Inc. Burton, Ohio

“My dad taught me everything I know about hard work. He was always
setting an example of someone who did whatever it took to take care of
his family. This work ethic is what has driven me to become the person
and the CPA I am today. My dad always encouraged me from an early age
to be involved in his business. I think he wanted to give me a taste
of the kind of work that he did. So, starting at age 12, I began
preparing income tax returns for some of his clients; what an
experience at 12 years old!”

Scott Sprinkle (center) washes a bicycle with his younger brother, Sean, and his father, Stan.

“My father had a 30-year career with Peat Marwick Mitchell (now
KPMG). We became business partners in 1994 and started our own firms
[one is accounting, the other is financial planning]. The best advice
my father ever gave us was never followed. He said, ‘You are capable
of doing anything in life that you apply yourself to accomplish … just
don’t become a CPA!’ Almost 30 years later and with six CPAs in the
family, I realize he knew his children too well. Regardless of which
careers we chose, he fostered our abilities, provided us
opportunities, instilled his values, and had us find our own paths. My
father is an amazing professional and has had an incredible career,
but his legacy will not be career-oriented. It will be the great
lessons and opportunity he provided his children and grandchildren—all
done with unquestionable love.”

Valrie Chambers (left) and her daughter, Cassandra Jean, with Chambers’ father, Robert

“The most important lesson my father, Robert L. Chambers, taught me
was that when negotiating, give the other party an ‘out.’ It may be
your out, but an out nonetheless. This lets people save face,
whereas people who are backed into corners can act unpredictably. I’ve
used this advice when buying cars, negotiating with the IRS, and
handling grade appeals. When I do this, my negotiations are shorter
and more successful. Thanks, Daddy!”

Editor’s note: Except where otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of the CPAs
interviewed for this feature.

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